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Chairwoman Kaptur Floor Remarks on Appropriations Minibus H.R. 2740

2019-06-12 14:40

Statement

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Chair of the Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in support of H.R. 2740, the first minibus of fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills:

Our bill makes critical investments in energy and water systems to sustain life on earth, combating climate change, advancing science and innovation, building water infrastructure, and investing in necessary nuclear security programs.

First, I’d like to thank my Ranking Member, Mr. Simpson, who has been a very constructive and able partner. I’d also like to thank our staff, including Jaime Shimek, Angie Giancarlo, Mark Arnone, Mike Brain, Marcel Caldwell, Scott McKee, Farouk Ophaso and Matt Kaplan for their hard work in putting this bill together

This bill rejects the President’s drastic and short-sighted proposed cuts that would harm our nation’s interests and instead increases investments to meet serious national priorities.

Addressing the needs of the future, economically and environmentally, requires that our nation be at the forefront of global innovation. Our bill moves the nation forward on that front.

Finally, ensuring water and electricity for millions of Americans is fundamental. We provide additional support toward those priorities.

We achieve this by:

Providing $7.4 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, an increase of $357 million above 2019 and $2.5 billion above the budget request. This bill invests in key water priorities across the nation by funding countless regional priorities—including robust funding for the Soo Locks construction project, and by starting the path for the Brandon Road invasive species control project. This bill’s robust funding for the Army Corps of Engineers is critical to our nation’s economic vitality.

Providing $1.63 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation, an increase of $83 million from 2019, and $523 million above the budget request.

Providing $37.1 billion for the Department of Energy, an increase of $1.4 billion from 2019 and $5.6 billion above the budget request.

Within DOE:

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program receives $2.65 billion, $273 million above 2019 and $2.3 billion above the request. This includes robust funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps ensure that low-income households across this country have energy-efficient, more livable homes.

ARPA-E receives $425 million $59 million above 2019 and a rejection of the President’s proposal to eliminate the program.

In sum, this bill invests in innovation programs at the Department of Energy to yield future opportunities and jobs, promotes economic prosperity and bolsters trade, and helps address the many challenges facing our Great Lakes – the largest collection of fresh water on the planet. And our bill prepares our country to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Our bill is more necessary than ever to build America going forward. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.